PNNL

Joshua Lochala studies lithium (Li) metal and Li-ion batteries with an emphasis on the practical applications and engineering processes. The pouch cell format is of specific interest, as it is where new technology and materials are scaled and tested in a real-world format. The applications of this methodology help to advance next-generation batteries by bridging the gap between fundamental research and commercial applications. Lochala’s research extends to both the materials used within the pouch cell and the processes that occur during cycling, which is fundamental to the advancement of batteries used for electric vehicles. Part of Lochala’s work includes working in the Battery500 Consortium, which seeks to develop high-capacity batteries used for electric vehicles.

Lochala is starting up Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s newest capability, the Prismatic Line. This capability will allow for the assembly and validation of materials in the prismatic format up to 25 Ah. A key aspect of this work is validating new materials for real-world applications, in both scale up and testing

• Battery Pouch Cell Engineering
• Li-metal Batteries
• Li-ion Batteries
• Batteries Materials

PhD in chemistry, University of Arkansas

BS in chemistry, John Brown University

Electrochemical Society

Materials Research Society

2024

• Lim H., D. Nguyen, J.A. Lochala, X. Cao, and J. Zhang. 2024. "Improving Cycling Performance of Anode-Free Lithium Batteries by Pressure and Voltage Control." ACS Energy Letters 9, no. 1:126-135. PNNL-SA-189664. doi:10.1021/acsenergylett.3c01808
• Liu D., B. Wu, Y. Xu, J.F. Ellis, A.Y. Baranovskiy, D. Lu, and J.A. Lochala, et al. 2024. "Controlled large-area lithium deposition to reduce swelling of high-energy lithium metal pouch cells in liquid electrolytes." Nature Energy 9, no. 5:559-569. PNNL-SA-185424. doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01488-9

2022

• Hu J., L. Li, Y. Bi, J. Tao, J.A. Lochala, D. Liu, and B. Wu, et al. 2022. "Locking Oxygen in Lattice: A Quantifiable Comparison of Gas Generation in Polycrystalline and Single Crystalline Ni-Rich Cathodes." Energy Storage Materials 47. PNNL-SA-163635. doi:10.1016/j.ensm.2022.02.025

2021

• Hu J., B. Wu, S. Chae, J.A. Lochala, Y. Bi, and J. Xiao. 2021. "Achieving Highly Reproducible Results in Graphite-based Li-ion Full Coin Cells." Joule 5, no. 5:1011-1015. PNNL-SA-159080. doi:10.1016/j.joule.2021.03.016
• Niu C., D. Liu, J.A. Lochala, C.S. Anderson, X. Cao, M.E. Gross, and W. Xu, et al. 2021. "Balancing Interfacial Reactions to Achieve Long Cycle Life in High Energy Lithium Metal Batteries." Nature Energy 6, no. 7:723-732. PNNL-SA-158492. doi:10.1038/s41560-021-00852-3

2018

• Wu B., S. Wang, J.A. Lochala, D. Desrochers, B. Liu, J. Yang, and J. Xiao. 2018. "The role of the solid electrolyte interphase layer in preventing Li dendrite growth in solid-state batteries." Energy & Environmental Science 11, no. 7:1803-1810. PNNL-SA-138394. doi:10.1039/c8ee00540k

2017

• Zheng J., J.A. Lochala, A. Kowk, Z. Deng, and J. Xiao. 2017. "Research Progress towards Understanding the Unique Interfaces between Concentrated Electrolytes and Electrodes for Energy Storage Applications." Advanced Science 4, no. 8:Article No. 1700032. PNNL-SA-123526. doi:10.1002/advs.201700032